As an employee who has tried every traditional way of weight loss this is very disappointing. The email sent out today however does state they will cover the medication if you have a diabetes diagnosis. How unfortunate that we have to be more sick in order to get coverage for a medication that we can take preemptively to avoid getting a condition. not to mention all of the other conditions This medication helps treat through the treatment of obesity. I am not saying people do not miss use these medication‘s, but that should be held on the providers that are prescribing them. For employees that take the medication correctly, make lifestyle changes, etc. this feels like discrimination.
14 replies (most recent on top)
To the individual who commented with type two diabetes. How do you think people get type two diabetes? The number one cause in the United States for type two diabetes is obesity. Additionally the GLP1s that the company have covered for type two diabetes they have not been covered for weight loss anyway like ozempic! However, there are glp1s that are solely approved for weight loss like Zepbound. Your ability to get your type to diabetic version has nothing to do with the weight loss versions. Lastly, why does your sickness entitle you to medication over us? The only reason Centene is even covering the medication for you is because by law they are required to. Please educate yourself before posting in the future.
Sorry. But I don’t agree with the comments here. GLP-1 medications should be reserved for diabetics first. I have type 2 diabetes and I have been on a glp-1 for 2 years. I need this medication to control my glucose. I have had so many issues each month trying to refill my prescription because the medication is out of stock. If I was not diabetic I would not take this medication I would just diet and exercise to lose weight. People just want the easy way out.
I agree we should flood HR with complaints. This is discrimination beyond belief! They pride themselves in being a very DEI company. Brag about the great feedback they get with all the equitable programs. However, to save a few bucks they cut its hardworking employees off at the knees. I say we all file discrimination complaints with the EEOC and see how the pets to be like the negative attention. What a kick in the face to those of us who work hard daily to make them their large sums of money!
Received my notification from CVS Caremark in the mail today that meds will no longer be covered effective Jan1. This su-ks!!!!
Just go through a compound pharmacy and if your mathematically inclined a research peptide. Both contain the same active ingredient. Either way, you have options that aren’t expensive. Don’t stress and do your research now and speak to your doctor
This is not just Centene. Most insurances don’t cover it. Had a lot of insurance companies that used to cover. It are no longer covering it or making the criteria a lot more strict to control cost. Unfortunate
I did not receive an email. When does this go into effect? Very disappointed if this is happening!
Not just our insurance not covering it. Atena insurance isnt covering it. Try compound pharmacy
For the employee asking about finding out what is covered….. I called cvs Caremark, nothing even close. Basically phentermine is covered, which is just terrible to be honest. I think there was one other but it can also be bought over the counter. They aren’t real alternatives they are the same ineffective options that basically are super cheap. As someone else stated if the meds are covered for diabetes but not weight loss, sounds like discrimination.
How can we find out exactly what alternate options are covered?
It’s because treating the condition before you become expensive is too costly for them. It’s cheaper for you to possible go to the ER or progress slowly than it is to shell out money to save a “potential” utilization. Going to the ER once or twice a year is less expensive on the company than you taking these meds every month, even short term. It’s all about the dollars
Same also sent a msg through the benefits site. Really hope they reconsider, it is very closed minded not to. For a company claiming the be the best in class and forward progressing, this isn’t reflective of that.
Centene has decided not to cover GLP1 medication citing it is due to cost and this decision was made so that premiums would not be affected. Yet, premiums and deductibles increased. It is unfortunate that a Healthcare provider is not taking into account the benefits of this medication for their employees. They say they will provide alternative medicine and programs. If those worked, we wouldn't need the GLP1 medication. They are concerned and pride themselves of being against discrimination yet here I am feeling discriminated against. I hope that they change their mind on this.
I emailed HR about this as the benefits department could not give me further information. I made sure that the options they offered was not going to work for me. We need to flood HR with complaints and see if they change their minds. They have made billions in profits for 2023. Cost shouldn’t be a problem